Dean’s Council Meeting
Held: September 24, 2009
Attendees: B. Barnett, E. Rainforth, H. Nejad, S. Rosenberg, B. Langer, L. Chakrin, S. Perry and L.
Siecke.
The meeting was opened with a discussion on the Cahill Center and the Student Survey which showed many
students did not make use of its services.
B. Barnett asked for academic unit plans for the next three years: 2009, 2010 and 2011.
E. Rainforth will meet with the Deans on Thursday, October 1 from 9:15 am to 10 am. This is prior to the
regular dean’s council meeting which will take place from 10 to 12 noon.
The areas of concern for 2009-10 were discussed in detail starting with the first:
– Assessment.
E. Rainforth said she was using a web-based software for populating data on assessment. This is currently in
a development stage.
Unit assessment plans are not all in place, units must include assessment results in periodic review of
programs.
The next item:
- Career Services and Experiential learning/Cahill Center.
The Cahill Center is presently understaffed though a search is underway for a new director. B. Barnett had
asked each Dean to meet with the Cahill Center which has occurred. No official reports were given. An oral
discussion on the subject included several suggestions for the center including:
Cultivating Outside Contacts
Working with the new director to present the needs of the academic units
Helping the director establish their role
Aligning the resources of the Cahill Center
It was decided that there must be a plan for oversight of internship, coop and career services in conjunction
with the Cahill Center.
-
Clarification of academic policies & procedures
Readmission, grade changes were discussed. It was noted that the wording that appears on the web still
allows an appeal to the vice president of academic affairs:
http://www.ramapo.edu/catalog_03_04/academicPrograms/gradingSystems/acadStudentAppeals.html
B. Barnett said this would be changed but that she would inform the Provost’s Council for communication
purposes.
-
Clarification of the course enhance component – The Greater Expectations team from summer 2009
has proposed a review and revision of the component. A Design Team is being formed to undertake
this project.
-
College –wide requirements for contract majors – No longer necessary but there is a need to review
requirements for concentrations and minors.
-
Course reduction for conveners – It was decided to keep this and review the possibility.
-
Cross listing courses – It was decided to keep this too, and look into Banner programming for the
future.
-
Direction for diversity efforts – The Deans will review plans made by DAC and plan future
directions.
The council is going to inventory current efforts and make a plan. S. Perry suggested that a request be made
for funding for a lecture series to enhance diversity.
-
Goals and learning outcomes for first year seminar – This will be addressed by GECCo
- Interdisciplinarity – Development money for faculty to develop interdisciplinary courses. A plan
must be developed for re-energizing interdisciplinarity in the majors. S. Perry suggested making this a
priority with the Greater Expectations Team.